Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Dusky Woodswallow

I am posting a photo of a Dusky Woodswallow I took a few weeks ago. I know its not a great photo but I was lucky to get one at all – and there's a story behind the photo.Whenever I walk in the bush I have my dog Misty with me. She's a little 'Smithfield' or 'Stumpy-tailed Blue Cattle Dog'. Her senses are all much sharper than mine and I trust her instincts in the bush. She's five years old and I have had her since she was a little pup. She has always been made to drop back behind me when I see a bird to photograph and she must not move or make a noise. As to the noise bit – I have never known her to bark outside my yard but inside the yard she is noisy and very territorial. This day I was out photographing wildflowers and was only looking for them. She was ahead of me as usual but then dropped back in behind me. I was still looking for flowers and took no notice so she came close to me and started nudging my leg with her nose. Then I saw what she had seen and I hadn't even noticed. In the trees just ahead there was a group of birds. I am sure she thought I was a bit slow at getting the camera out and taking photos.

Thank you, Denis, that is a really nice compliment - but only true to a certain extent. I have had a lot of dogs over the years and a number of different breeds including, Rottwiellers, Malemute Husky (cross wolf! - in Canada) BUT this one now is the smartest and most responsive I have ever had.